Given the toxins we are bombarded with on a day-to-day basis, I thought of making my own homemade cleaning recipes. I am sharing 7 of these ultra easy homemade non toxic cleaning recipes for different surfaces…

All Purpose Cleaning

Recipe 1

Use the following recipe to clean countertops, tables, furniture around the house, the bathroom area, sinks and even the kitchen appliances:

2 cups of distilled white vinegar

2 cups water

Any essential oil of choice-a few drops.

Combine all the ingredients and fill them in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe all the surfaces. In the bathroom, you can use the solution for cleaning mirrors, tubs and the area around the toilet. This will deodorize the room.

Recipe 2

Bonner’s Castille soap liquid-1 tsp

1 tsp Borax

2 tbsp white or apple cider vinegar

2 cups water

Essential oil of choice- I used a few drops of eucalyptus oil

¼ tsp lavender essential oil optional

Fill up these ingredients in an empty liquid soap bottle. Use it for washing dishes, countertops, dining table and related surfaces. You can also use Citrusy essential oils as they have a powerful degreasing action.

To open clogged drains

Recipe 1

Baking soda-1 cup

Salt-1 cup

Vinegar-1/2 cup

Pour all three ingredients down the drain (ensure that you remove excess water first). Let sit for 30 minutes, and then wash off with warm water.

Laundry

Laundry detergent recipe

Baking soda- ½ to 1 cup

Castile soap powder 1 -2 cups

¼ cup Borax powder

Mix the ingredients. You can also add ¼ cup of washing soda to the above. I like to make a large batch and use only ½ a cup per load of laundry. I also use the following homemade softener recipe:

Fabric softener recipe

½ cup of baking soda

1 teaspoon of arrowroot powder

A few drops of lavender essential oil

1 tbsp cornstarch

Tie the ingredients in a fabric and add to your dryer cycle. Replenish once the fragrance fades

Toilet Bowl Cleaning recipe

1 cup baking soda

1 cup vinegar

A few drops of tea tree oil

Pour in the toilet-let sit for a few minutes then brush and scrub as usual.

Furniture polish recipe

¼ cup of olive oil

¼ cup white vinegar

A few drops of lime essential oil or lemon juice

Take the ingredients in a cup. Dip a dry rag into this mixture. Wipe the wooden furniture with it. You can use an old toothbrush to cover tight corners of the furniture.

Know of any other homemade cleaning recipes that you use at home? Then share it with me below!

]]>http://www.moodymamasays.com/7-easy-homemade-cleaning-recipes/feed/02 Leftover Recipe Ideas Your Family Will Lovehttp://www.moodymamasays.com/2-leftover-recipe-ideas-family-will-love
http://www.moodymamasays.com/2-leftover-recipe-ideas-family-will-love#respondFri, 27 Feb 2015 10:56:57 +0000http://www.moodymamasays.com/?p=17494Each year, Americans throw away tonnes of food which could have been put to good use. This guide is all about making simple and tasty recipes from leftover foods like chicken and breads. Leftover Bread Bread gets stale quickly in the hot weather. Thankfully, stale bread also absorbs liquid quickly. I add stale read to […]

]]>Each year, Americans throw away tonnes of food which could have been put to good use. This guide is all about making simple and tasty recipes from leftover foods like chicken and breads.

Leftover Bread

Bread gets stale quickly in the hot weather. Thankfully, stale bread also absorbs liquid quickly. I add stale read to almost everything: puddings, both savoury and sweet or simply use it for some French toast. I have also added it to make cutlets, vegetable burgers, and even savoury pancakes made using refined flour or semolina. Here is a simple mushroom pudding to put stale bread to good use:

Mushroom pudding from stale bread

1 packet of mushrooms-any variety

2 tbsp butter

1 onion chopped fine

2 cloves of garlic minced

I stick of celery

3 tsp chopped herbs of your choice(rosemary, parsley, cilantro etc)

¾ cup milk

¼ cup cream

2 eggs

5 slices of stale bread cut in cubes

1 tbsp mustard

Method: Preheat the oven and grease a rectangular bread pan.

To a large skillet add the butter and throw in the onions and garlic. Sauté mushrooms until liquid evaporates and the cook celery until soft, and remove in a pan.

Combine the mixture of mushrooms and vegetables with bread and mix. Add the seasonings and herbs. In a separate pan, add milk, eggs, mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk. Pour the mixture over the pan containing mushrooms and vegetables. Ensure all the bread cubes are soaked in the custard. Bake this mixture for 20 minutes or until the top is crusty and golden brown. You can even add some cheese to the pudding prior to baking. Serve with a salad.

Leftover Chicken

I use the bones of leftover chicken to make stock, which I use for making broths, stews and soups or add it over my pets’ kibble. Here is a leftover chicken pie recipe your family will love:

300 to 400g of cooked leftover chicken

Leftover gravy (500 ml or less)

Sausages (also leftover)

600g mashed potatoes

2 leeks-washed and trimmed

1 can of baked beans

Pepper

Herbs seasoning

Method- Prep the cooked potatoes (unless they are also leftovers). Microwave the leeks in water until tender. Preheat the over-200 F. Chop the leftover chicken and sausages.

Place the chopped meat in an oven-proof dish. Cover it with half of the cooked leeks. Pour the gravy over this. Again add a layer of leeks. Add the beans from the can and spread to cover. Cover with a final layer of mashed potatoes. Bake thoroughly for 30 minutes until crusty and brown. Serve the pie with a salad, some more curry or green veggies.

Know any tasty leftover recipes? Then what are you waiting for? Share them below!

]]>http://www.moodymamasays.com/2-leftover-recipe-ideas-family-will-love/feed/05 Cringe-Worthy Moments From The 2015 Oscarshttp://www.moodymamasays.com/5-cringe-worthy-moments-2015-oscars
http://www.moodymamasays.com/5-cringe-worthy-moments-2015-oscars#respondThu, 26 Feb 2015 06:09:34 +0000http://www.moodymamasays.com/?p=17485The Oscars are done and over with and I simply had to blog about some of the most cringe-worthy moments that got the Twitterati abuzz.. No. 5: NPH in his briefs Neil Patrick Harris has been great as a host for the Emmy’s but the critics did not like him too much during the 87th […]

]]>The Oscars are done and over with and I simply had to blog about some of the most cringe-worthy moments that got the Twitterati abuzz..

No. 5: NPH in his briefs

Neil Patrick Harris has been great as a host for the Emmy’s but the critics did not like him too much during the 87th Academy awards show. Sure he has a good physique and all that, but we certainly did not need to see him in his briefs. He also insulted Dana Perry, right after she had dedicated her award to her late son, by commenting on her dress. The Twitterati exploded by saying that was rather ‘uncool’. I couldn’t agree more!

No. 4: Scar Jo’s strange hair cut

I believe that Scarlett Johansson is a great beauty, but this time, her hair cut made me cringe. She was even being compared to Adam Levine for having hair similar to his! Don’t get me wrong: she carried it with all the grace and beauty that only Scar Jo is capable of, but at the Oscars, it is certainly not the right occasion for a haircut like this…(unless she has done it for an upcoming movie role of course).

No.3 Travolta’s kiss and Scar’s reaction to it

Speaking of Scar Jo, I come to the next uncomfortable 2015 Oscar moment. Now-I used to be a huge fan of John Travolta but that went downhill after I read about all those allegations. While I know we need to take what we read online with a pinch of salt, this kiss (which he planted on an unaware and unsuspecting Scarlett Johansson) still left a lot of us cringing. It is even being compared to the (in)famous Dracula’s kiss…(see image below!) lol!

No.2. Jennifer Aniston’s awkward hug with Emma Stone

I love both America’s current sweetheart Jennifer and Emma Stone…but this hug was too awkward to say the least.

No. 1. John Travolta’s chin grab of Idina Menzel

Last year, Travolta could not pronounce/remember Idina’s name. This year, he grabbed her chin in an ultra creepy manner. I think this moment deserves to get the “creepiest 2015 Oscar moment” award!

]]>http://www.moodymamasays.com/5-cringe-worthy-moments-2015-oscars/feed/0Review: Garcinia Cambogia Supplements By Super Citrimax®http://www.moodymamasays.com/review-garcinia-cambogia-supplements-super-citrimax
http://www.moodymamasays.com/review-garcinia-cambogia-supplements-super-citrimax#respondWed, 25 Feb 2015 07:41:23 +0000http://www.moodymamasays.com/?p=17481This is not a paid review. This is my honest opinion about Super Citrimax® Garcinia Cambogia supplements which is a well known weight loss and dietary supplement that also has several health benefits. Read on to learn more: Super Citrimax® Garcinia Cambogia is available online here and here and currently they have many nice deals […]

]]>This is not a paid review. This is my honest opinion about Super Citrimax® Garcinia Cambogia supplements which is a well known weight loss and dietary supplement that also has several health benefits.

Read on to learn more:

Super Citrimax® Garcinia Cambogia is available online here and here and currently they have many nice deals including BOGO free. (If you buy 2, you can also get 3 free) but it is best to try it out first.

Okay, so to those of you who haven’t heard of Garcinia Cambogia, it is a small fruit native to many South Asian countries. It is known by different names like Cambooge, Gambooge, tamarind etc. In these countries, it is primarily used for flavouring foods, curries and soups. Many native tribal people also used to eat it before going on their hunts to ward off hunger. People also drink the soups and curries made out of Garcinia cambogia fruit rinds to keep full in between meals.

The western world has now accepted this fruit as a miraculous weight loss product, and many celebrities including Dr. Mehemet Oz (who has his own talk show) have endorsed the pills made out of this fruit.

How Garcinia cambogia supplements work is by releasing HCA or hydrocitric acid. This ingredient supports sugar metabolism and can be used alongside diet and exercise to lose excess weight. Many men and women tend to find it hard to kick start their weight loss efforts and for them, the Garcinia supplements are a God send indeed. Additionally, the pills also have several health benefits for diabetics or those looking to improve their energy levels etc.

For the price I paid, I must say that I am very pleased with the results. I am yet to complete the first bottle and already I am being asked whether I am doing anything special! Even if you do not have to lose much weight, you can talk to your doctor whether this product is right for your other health goals.

Personally, I have researched several Garcinia Cambogia supplements on the market. Most are rather expensive; but this one really meets my expectations since it is total value for the money one is paying.

Garcinia is also great for people looking to balance their blood sugar levels. Apart from weight loss, Super Citrimax® Garcinia Cambogia also gives a boost to the immune system. Many people also continue using it after they have met their weight loss goals to manage their weight and overall health.

Bottom line: we are very pleased with Super Citrimax® Garcinia Cambogia supplements and recommend it to everyone looking to improve their health.

]]>http://www.moodymamasays.com/review-garcinia-cambogia-supplements-super-citrimax/feed/06 Tips To Help You Avoid Blogging Burnouthttp://www.moodymamasays.com/6-tips-help-avoid-blogging-burnout
http://www.moodymamasays.com/6-tips-help-avoid-blogging-burnout#respondTue, 24 Feb 2015 11:19:13 +0000http://www.moodymamasays.com/?p=17478The other day, I read a wonderful story about a writer and some of her tips she had shared about ways to avoid blogging burnout. Today, I am sharing them here and also giving my own tips for avoiding blogger’s burnout. If you are like me, you probably run out of ideas to blog about […]

]]>The other day, I read a wonderful story about a writer and some of her tips she had shared about ways to avoid blogging burnout. Today, I am sharing them here and also giving my own tips for avoiding blogger’s burnout.

If you are like me, you probably run out of ideas to blog about from time to time. Also, with work, kids and pets, there is so much going on simultaneously that things tend to get extremely overwhelming. So here are some tips for avoiding the blogger’s burnout.

But First: the story.

So this lady writer often faced mental blocks whilst writing. Also, her dog would “beg” to be taken out for a walk when she was in thick of things. She would throw him some treats to keep him occupied temporarily. However, she later learnt that it was the Universe’s way of giving her a message, a sign to go out….and indeed she found that each time she did go out for a walk with her pooch, inspiration would strike anew. This would help her complete the piece she was stuck on. Now, she never misses out the opportunity to walk her dog.

So, here is my take on getting and staying inspired while avoiding blogger’s burnout:

Do not compare yourself with others

It is very important to stay away from competition- they can be so anti-inspiring. Many a blogger has quit just by thinking “I will never be as good as her”.

Stretch yourself

You might have created a niche, but you must also go outside of your comfort zone. Explore other areas and niches. The more creative you are; the better. Writing about new things can be very inspiring.

Take time off

During your time off, say no to everything and log out of everything; email, Facebook- the works. This way; you will not be tempted to say yes to paid or free reviews, fellow blogger interviews etc.

Review products

When you experience burnout, do reviews of home cleaning products or even web/mobile apps. This might sound contradictory to what I said above, but reviews actually help you show your readers that you do care about them. It will also establish you as a person who wants the readers to spend their hard earned money only on the right products.

Interview someone

Writing might be exhausting. So, remember that people want to be published on other blogs. Make use of this fact and simply contact some important local people and send them an email with some questions. Twice a month interviews of this sort will lessen your blogging writing load.

Get together with other bloggers

Working in a group is fun and you can invite your friends to do a guest post on your blog. It will give you much needed break and also establish your blog as a well established and authoritative one whilst increasing your following and readership.

]]>http://www.moodymamasays.com/6-tips-help-avoid-blogging-burnout/feed/07 Youth Boosting Foods Everyone Must Have In Their Pantryhttp://www.moodymamasays.com/7-youth-boosting-foods-everyone-must-pantry
http://www.moodymamasays.com/7-youth-boosting-foods-everyone-must-pantry#respondMon, 23 Feb 2015 05:40:58 +0000http://www.moodymamasays.com/?p=17475Now that the Oscars are done and over with, and we have sighed over the beautiful gowns, I think it is time to revamp the pantry with these 7 youth boosting foods. So, my resolution to eat healthier continues and I am trying to remove Gluten (well not entirely, but some) from my pantry. That means […]

]]>Now that the Oscars are done and over with, and we have sighed over the beautiful gowns, I think it is time to revamp the pantry with these 7 youth boosting foods.

So, my resolution to eat healthier continues and I am trying to remove Gluten (well not entirely, but some) from my pantry. That means that I need to focus on these 7 youth boosting foods. I am especially encouraged to eat healthier thanks to the celebs that absolutely glowed on the Red Carpet. (I was also reading about their pre-Oscar regime the other day: no Gluten for a month, serums and oils on their face and of course healthy eating with tons of hydration). So here are some foods which are supposedly great for the skin and hair…

Walnuts- Walnuts are densely packed with omega 3 essential fatty acids and that spells good news for the brain, eyes and skin. Walnuts are also rich in heart healthy nutrients and make a great snack. Toss it in the Salad with Chicken breasts, cheddar cheese and low fat dressing of your choice.

Tomatoes- Research has now shown that tomatoes can reverse sun damage which is the main reason why Mediterranean people have such beautiful skins. Deep red tomatoes are rich in antioxidants and lycopene which perform dual action- they boost collagen production and reduce sun damage done by the UV rays. (I am off to make a fresh batch of Marinara sauce).

Nut Butters- Nut butters such as Almond butter can help thicken locks and hence are being hailed as the super food for women battling alopecia. Nuts like Almonds are densely packed with Vitamin E and a trial conducted over 8 months has also shown that men who ate teaspoon of almonds had an increase in hair growth of almost 42%.

Lemon water- Many women around the world are known to start their morning with what they term as “Spa water”-warm water to which a teaspoon of honey and juice from half a lime or lemon is added. You can also make your own spa water by taking regular mineral water to which some chopped citrusy fruit rinds have been added. Sipping this water throughout the day can help fight inflammation which is the leading cause of aging. Also a great remedy for fighting dark circles.

Strawberries and Cheddar- I love berries and cheese combination and this particular cheese helps whiten teeth (as yellow teeth can age one considerably). Cheddar also increases the pH of the oral cavity to fight bacteria and fend off acids which yellow teeth.

Sweet potatoes- A new research is now proving that red and orange colored vegetables can help you get a healthy and sun kissed glow. Sweet potatoes mainly contain tons of complexion-enhancing carotenoids and just half of this super vegetable with skin can help you get 200% of your recommended daily allowance of carotenoids.

Shiitake mushrooms- These are the only items in the produce section having tons of vitamin D. Additionally, shiitake mushrooms also provide us with Copper, deficiency of which causes premature greying. So go on and add those Shiitakes to soups, salads, sandwiches and pasta.

]]>http://www.moodymamasays.com/7-youth-boosting-foods-everyone-must-pantry/feed/0Why Home Cooked Meals For Dogs Are Best (Includes A Special Recipe)http://www.moodymamasays.com/home-cooked-meals-dogs-best-includes-special-recipe
http://www.moodymamasays.com/home-cooked-meals-dogs-best-includes-special-recipe#respondSat, 21 Feb 2015 07:35:28 +0000http://www.moodymamasays.com/?p=17470Majority of commercially available food for pets is full of artificial ingredients and preservatives. So I have started giving home cooked meals to my dogs. Here is what I have seen over the months: No more itching My dog would itch considerably when he was on commercial dog food. After switching to rice, chicken and boiled […]

]]>Majority of commercially available food for pets is full of artificial ingredients and preservatives. So I have started giving home cooked meals to my dogs. Here is what I have seen over the months:

No more itching

My dog would itch considerably when he was on commercial dog food. After switching to rice, chicken and boiled vegetables, I started noticing that the coat was better and the persistent itching had also reduced. He did not smell as much as before and we could go longer between bath times.

No fungal infections

With home cooked meals for dogs and Brewer’s yeast added to the drinking water, my pets no longer had any fungal infections. Prior to that, they would usually develop these black patches on their tummies.

It is not too much work

I give my pets millet breads as they are allergic to wheat. Millet is a wholesome grain and you can grind it into fine gluten free flour. Simply add some water and bake or roast the breads on a skillet. You can make 4-5 breads in advance and that means you need to only cook them every 2 days.

You can offer them variety

Pets are families and I want mine to have variety. With home cooked meals, I get t offer them that while taking their nutritional levels into account. That being said, here is what our vet asked us to keep in mind regarding balanced meals:

Meat- Meat should constitute half of the pet’s diet. Always give boneless meat-poultry as well as red meat. Offer fish from time to time- it is expensive- but it is also a great source of vitamin D and Omega fatty acids. Offer organ meats every few days.

Fruits- Fruits like berries, melons, bananas and apples are great for dogs and can be used as treats or in-between snacks.

Cheese- Home made cheeses or cottage cheese is great for dogs. Avoid other processed and commercial cheeses as there may be allergies or their fat content may be high.

Eggs- Egg whites are great or you can give one whole egg daily.

Vegetables- My dog loves carrots and they are great for cleaning teeth.

On days I am very tired; I do give kibble but make sure to add some salmon oil to it. That apart I have another recipe which my pets love. You can freeze this recipe ahead and offer them twice a day with their kibble.

1 kg minced chicken

1 sweet potato

3 large carrots

1 cup white rice

Low sodium chicken stock

Frozen beans

Mix all ingredients with 4 cups of water and boil until rice is cooked and the veggies are soft. Cool the mixture and bag it. You can also freeze these portions and mix this broth with your pets’ daily kibble.

]]>http://www.moodymamasays.com/home-cooked-meals-dogs-best-includes-special-recipe/feed/0Beauty Secrets We Have Forgotten Over The Yearshttp://www.moodymamasays.com/beauty-secrets-forgotten-years
http://www.moodymamasays.com/beauty-secrets-forgotten-years#respondThu, 19 Feb 2015 05:33:12 +0000http://www.moodymamasays.com/?p=17465We are bombarded with so much information about beauty these days. Open any lifestyle magazine or website and you will see articles featuring beauty tips, expert advice and so on. My take on this is: just go back to basics. There are so many beauty-related tips which our moms and grandmas shared with us, but […]

]]>We are bombarded with so much information about beauty these days. Open any lifestyle magazine or website and you will see articles featuring beauty tips, expert advice and so on. My take on this is: just go back to basics. There are so many beauty-related tips which our moms and grandmas shared with us, but we have forgotten them over time. Let us refresh some of these here…

Fuel your bodies instead of starving

Sure we all want to look like America’s Next Top Model. But that does not mean we should starve ourselves. Instead, women must focus on healthier eating – they need to look at food as a fuel. This includes consuming protein rich foods, fruits and dark green vegetables etc.

Hydrate from inside out

We slather ourselves with moisturizers, but drinking 8-10 glasses of water will do more wonders to our skin than externally applied cosmetics. It is also essential to eat hydrating vegetables like cucumbers etc and eat good fats like olive oil, coconut oil etc which are wonderful in hydrating from inside out.

Accept aging

Celebs and media have created such a negative image about aging. Age is especially cruel to women and we see how Hollywood beauties are under so much pressure to look younger that they are driven to extreme cosmetic surgeries. On the other hand, Brad Pitt and George Clooney have no issues flaunting their grey hair. It is time women accept this as well. Did our grandma-generation women have the urge to go in for advanced and extreme makeovers that rendered them looking artificial and plastic-like? Of course not-that is because they accepted age and aged gracefully.

Have some makeup tricks up your sleeve for those bad days

Not all of us are able to manage getting those 8 hours of zzzs each night. The trick is to use tried and tested makeup tricks to avoid looking like a Zombie at work the next day. A pop of bright lipstick, some concealer and the right makeup tools can help one look fresh and well rested. Layering moisturizer, using cold tea bags on the eyes and other such tips can help as well.

Apple cider vinegar for hair

You might like to color your hair but even by using diluted ACV you can boost the shine of natural hair. This is a great remedy used by our mums and grandmas and while you might be working with a colorist (which is certainly a good thing), you can also use this age-old remedy between hair coloring sessions. Even women who decide to go grey and au natural can make their hair look healthier by using ACV rinses after every hair wash.

]]>http://www.moodymamasays.com/beauty-secrets-forgotten-years/feed/0Why American Women Are Suddenly In Love With Cindy Crawfordhttp://www.moodymamasays.com/american-women-suddenly-love-cindy-crawford
http://www.moodymamasays.com/american-women-suddenly-love-cindy-crawford#respondWed, 18 Feb 2015 04:19:44 +0000http://www.moodymamasays.com/?p=17457We have all seen her looking flawless in the Murad commercials. Then why is there a collective gasp at the sight of her untouched photos? Cindy Crawford’s untouched photo complete with wrinkles, age spots, cellulite and stretch marks is making rounds around the Internet. While many have gasped at (and criticized) Kim’s digitally/surgically enhanced rear; […]

]]>We have all seen her looking flawless in the Murad commercials. Then why is there a collective gasp at the sight of her untouched photos?

Cindy Crawford’s untouched photo complete with wrinkles, age spots, cellulite and stretch marks is making rounds around the Internet. While many have gasped at (and criticized) Kim’s digitally/surgically enhanced rear; this time it was respect that was felt among surfers- respect we all feel for this woman who has created a persona of flawlessness, sophistication and ethereal beauty and the fact that she did not choose makeup or technology to cover up her shortcomings.

To those of you who have tuned in late, here is the premise of this Cindy Crawford story.

The 48 year old ultra gorgeous supermodel and mum of 2 did a photo-shoot for Marie Claire. Like all other magazines, MC usually digitally alters their model photos, but somehow, the un-retouched ones of this supermodel leaked and have been creating quite a stir ever since.

In the photo-Crawford is dressed in black underwear, a fedora and a modest feathered coat . But what makes her so likeable to women all around the world is the fact that her expression is full of pride, elegance and royalty. It is as if she does not care a hoot about her un-toned thighs, cellulite, stretch marks and all those things media tends to make hype about.

I also happened to read Ms. Crawford’s interview in a magazine where she says “ It does not matter what age you are at; it matters how comfortable you are in your own skin at any age. Women should give themselves the same love they give their friends and that is the greatest gift they can give themselves.” It does sound clichéd but the photo proves that Cindy does walk the talk.

I just have one thing to say…

Cindy-you go girl! Take a bow! We love you. If only more celebs would do the same…it would do a world of wonder to our girls and women.

I wish more celebs would go ahead and inspire women to accept themselves as they are. What are your thoughts on this? I would love to know!

]]>http://www.moodymamasays.com/american-women-suddenly-love-cindy-crawford/feed/0Snack Pairings That Are Better Togetherhttp://www.moodymamasays.com/snack-pairings-better-together
http://www.moodymamasays.com/snack-pairings-better-together#respondTue, 17 Feb 2015 03:07:10 +0000http://www.moodymamasays.com/?p=17452 Some snacks simply have to be combined in order to double up their individual fun. Chips with Ketchup This was a childhood favourite of mine and my kids love it too. I know it isn’t the healthiest snack in the world, but on cheat days, I do allow it in small quantities. It is […]

Some snacks simply have to be combined in order to double up their individual fun.

Chips with Ketchup

This was a childhood favourite of mine and my kids love it too. I know it isn’t the healthiest snack in the world, but on cheat days, I do allow it in small quantities. It is perfect when you are watching a rom com or a thrilling flick with your better half as well-especially when the pop corn does not sound too alluring.

Avocado+ Tomato on Toasted Multigrain bread

Now this is a healthy combo and you won’t feel guilty about eating it. It can also be a good wholesome meal on days when you want something filling but not too heavy. I just peel an avocado, take out its pulp and mash it up. Next step is to spread it on toasted bread, slice up a tomato and enjoy as is. You will end up consuming at least ¼ of an avocado using this recipe and that is such a healthy way of getting good fats in you.

Peanut butter +Cucumber

Most people like PB&J sandwiches and they often slice up an entire banana in it as well. I like this too but another way I like to get PB and its healthy fat and protein is to chop up some cucumber (you can peel them up first, but I avoid that since the peels are rich in vitamins and minerals). Next, I add a generous serving of peanut butter (chunky or smooth-your choice) to it. You can also add some salt, cilantro, sugar or chilli flakes for added taste; however, it tastes best as is.

Babybel Cheese and Fruit

Now this is one healthy snack your mamma will be happy to see you eat. The best combo is orange slices (loaded with fiber) with mini Babybel cubes or you can dice a green apple and pair these goodies up.

Sprouts with Chinese seasonings

I like to keep sprouts on hand and use them in my cooking (you can add it to almost everything) all the time. On some evenings, I simply chop some red onions, cilantro and add sprouts and a bit of soya sauce, (or any Chinese sauces like Schezwan sauce etc) for a tasty appetizer. Do watch out for the sodium intake as some of the Chinese sauces can be very salty. If you do not like soya sauce, simply add a dash of lemon juice to the sprouts with onions, parsley/cilantro etc.

Hummus and veggies

Hummus is extremely rich in proteins and supposedly tastes best with Pita bread. But for those who are carb conscious can use it as a vegetable dip instead. So, I simply chop up carrots, broccoli , celery and cucumbers lengthwise and dip these in hummus….mmm mmm good!

Cheese and Berries

Berries go well with yogurt but I like mine with low fat cheese. On some mornings, I simply blend low fat cottage cheese with a handful of berries, and chia seeds. Berries provide us with tons of fiber and vitamins (not to forget the antioxidants) while cheese is rich in protein and calcium.